As an entrepreneur, particularly in the initial stages of business, the journey can be quite daunting. The pressure to capitalize on every opportunity can be formidable, but embracing every opportunity may ultimately impede long-term success.
My first year as a founder and entrepreneur was characterized by a continuous stream of affirmatives. I was eager to seize every opportunity, attend all seminars, and explore new coaching strategies as I focused on building my business from the ground up. However, I soon realized that in order to achieve sustainable growth, I needed to shift my mindset and be more deliberate in how I allocated my time.
The year 2020 provided me with a unique opportunity to solely concentrate on expanding my business. Instead of indulging in leisure activities or picking up new hobbies, I chose to dedicate my undivided attention to growing my team and reinforcing my business. By the end of the year, my team organically grew from 6 to 24 members, despite the challenges brought about by the global pandemic and without external investments.
The subsequent years were filled with a multitude of emotions, from enduring personal loss to experiencing joy and love. The tumultuous nature of these years taught me the significance of patience and perseverance, both in life and in business. It was during this time that I also had to confront the reality of declining certain opportunities in order to prioritize what truly mattered to me.
As my company began to evolve and stabilize, I came to the realization that I needed to re-evaluate my approach to new opportunities. I established a set of criteria to aid me in determining whether to pursue a new project or venture. If an opportunity did not align with my passion, did not evoke excitement, and did not offer a chance to give back, then I knew that the answer had to be “no.”
Learning to say “no” has enabled me to prioritize my presence and attend to the needs of those closest to me, while ensuring the continued prosperity of my business. It has transitioned me from being an affirmative person to someone who is deliberate and selective when it comes to new opportunities.
In the words of James Clear, “The amateur does not know what to do. The master knows what not to do.” With every “no,” I am learning to master the path of entrepreneurship more effectively.
Setting boundaries and learning to say “no” has been pivotal in my entrepreneurial journey, and I believe it is a crucial aspect of achieving sustainable success in the long run.